The title of this post got your attention didn't it?! :) It made me chuckle.
It has been 12 years since I graduated high school and as most recent
graduates do I had every intention of going to college, well I tried it
for a semester and I couldn't do it. Working full time just didn't allow
me the time to feel dedicated.
Since I am approximately 12 days away from graduating college (yes I am going to continue talking about it until I have that diploma in my hands lol) I wanted to share some of my thoughts on what it is like finishing college well after everyone expects you too.
~You will likely be one of the oldest people in class. I ran into that a lot but it wasn't such a bad thing (well until someone did comment that I was old lol). I look at is as being mature. ;)
~I felt more dedicated to my schoolwork, even though I used the GI Bill, if I failed a class I had to pay it back so I had to do well.
~I knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish and what goals I needed to set for myself. Now I'm not saying that younger people aren't like that but it's rare to find.
~Since I did not go to a brick and mortar school I didn't have the pressure of joining clubs or that sort of thing. It was nice to not have extra distractions.
~I felt that I could be an example to younger students. To show them that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.
~I was able to use what I had learned in my professional experiences, this helped in more way than I ever thought possible.
~I appreciate the experience so much more at 30 years old.
I am so glad that I waited 10+ years to get my degree, I learned far more than I ever thought possible.
Just remember that age doesn't matter, go after your dreams!
Yes! Good for you! You should be so so proud. I took the "traditional" path and went to college after high school. But, getting married, working full time, and having a baby it took me a year longer to finish. I valued it so much more since I was paying for it, and was fighting sleep to study. haha! I am giving you a huge high five on this :)
ReplyDeleteIt's never too late to chase after your dreams! I wish I had taken some time after HS to go to college, but too late now! Well done!!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for setting a goal and going after it! Congratulations on graduating!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that you did this for yourself and feel so accomplished!!! I'd keep writing about it too if I were you! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such an inspiration to me. When I was in college and even as I was graduating, I didn't have a whole lot of clear direction. I knew I liked words and writing and reading, so I figured "Eh, an English Degree will do." And I mostly picked that based on the fact that I did well in those type classes, I enjoyed them, and frankly...it meant I didn't have to take a lot of math courses. Now, at nearly 30, I realize there is a whole specific skill set I wish I had. I'm kind of thankful I didn't major in anything different when I was in college because I don't think I would have retained the information. But now, as I'm seriously contemplating going back for either another bachelor's or getting my masters, I have a much better idea of what I need and know I'll be so much more committed to taking what I need away from the courses. Thanks for this post, friend. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you! I think at 18 I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, so I ended up with a degree in a field that I am never going to use... There were a lot of non-traditional students in both my Criminal Justice and Social Work classes, and they were always so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteYou go, girl! I'm so proud of you for getting your degree and I think you are an inspiration to younger people. :)
ReplyDeleteOh geez you're not old!
ReplyDeleteThere was a 60 year old dude in law school with me. So yeah it's never too late! PS he was so annoying...talked nonstop. Haha.
Congrats on graduating!! Such a huge accomplishment!!
haha that's awesome! :) Thanks dear friend!
DeleteYaaayy you are so close!! I didn't know that you'd have to pay it back if you failed a class - definitely a good incentive there :) Congratulations, friend!
ReplyDelete~I felt that I could be an example to younger students. To show them that it is never too late to achieve your dreams.
ReplyDeleteThat is a huge one!! You should be proud!
I went to college right after high school, got married, graduated, moved to a different country, and found out that my degree was not appreciated there. So I worked to find out what I wanted to be when I grew up, and realized that it isn't teaching. So I went back to school, got my BSBA while working full time to finance it. I definitely was a different experience. Hubby's currently studying as well, at 33 :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!! Kyle is in school for his Master's so it's an interesting dynamic in our house right now haha.
DeleteProud of you! Hard word pays off :) XOX
ReplyDeleteVery true. I need to get back to college.
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats to you!
:) Thanks so much! You can do it!
DeleteYou are awesome!! Seriously so proud of you! I did college right after high school, did a major I have zero interest in now, and sped through it not enjoying it enough. I really think had I waited (now that I know more of what I want to do) I would have done that much better and appreciated it that much more! I think you have it figured out!! :)
ReplyDeleteWhoot! That diploma on the wall is a great sense of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, that last line - age doesn't matter, go after your dreams. Yesss. Thank you. I need to always be reminded of that. :) And eeeeeekkkk, it's so close to getting your degree. Congratulations! hugs!
ReplyDeleteGood thoughts! I was in college for awhile after I got out of the AF. But it was good at 26 yrs of age. I didn't continue it. But I continue learning in various phases of my life. Never too old to learn. I have taught myself photography and learned from professionals that like to share their ideas. So proud of your accomplishment and it's ok to brag...Take care and have a good week!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Congrats! I keep thinking I need to go back to school but then I'm like "I'm too old!" Maybe not. ;)
ReplyDeleteyes, you are awesome girl!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! Congrats again lady!
ReplyDeleteI DEFINITELY agree that you are more mature when you wait and without a doubt more focused. I only waited an extra year and a half, but it made a world of difference!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl!! That's awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou should be so proud! Had I not gone right after high school, I don't think I would have had the patience. Such an amazing accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it with this post. I didn't appreciate college at 18. All I wanted to do was get away from my parents and have fun. Now that I know what I want to study, I take school seriously. Congratulations on finishing!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jen! I couldn't agree more with this! Taking a little extra time to finish my degree has helped me out in so many ways. I'm in a much better, and more stable place in my life now which has made it easier to stay focused on my educational goals. Congrats on being so close to graduating!!
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome you are done with your degree! I would be talking about it all of the time too :)
ReplyDelete